The English register of Oseney abbey / by Oxford, written about 1460. Ed., with an introduction and indexes, by Andrew Clark.

[135.]

About 1190? Confirma|tion to Oseney, by the diocesan, of Black|bourton chapel, and Steeple Barton Church.

TO all cristen pepull to þe which this present writyng schall come Hugh [It is possible that this confirmation is by Hugh of Avalon, bishop of Lincoln 1186-1200. The preceding charter, ap|pointing vicarages, is by Hugh of Wells, but is placed first through the prevalent error which ascribes Hugh of Wells's acts to his more famous predecessor. Rev. H. Salter notes that the original of no. 134 (in Christ Church Treasury) is correctly endorsed 'Carta Hugonis episcopi, quon|dam archidiaconi Wellensis,' but that an early hand has inserted 'Sci.' before Hugonis.] , By þe grace of god Bisshop of lincoln, helth in our lorde. Leste þoo Benefettes þe which ben i-ȝeve to religiouse by for-getyng ofttymes [Read 'of times': 'temporum obliuione possint sepeliri.'] to be i-beried mowe, and to be withdrawe by schredenes [i.e. shrewdness: 'malignorum pravi|tate.'] of cursed men, we haue i-willed to take ['commendare.'] þem to þe Surenysse of writyng and to make hit sure with þe help of our seele: þerefore to þe knowlegyng of

ȝow all we will hit come vs to haue ferme, and to conferme with þe present charter, þe ȝiftes, as þey haue i-be made resonably, to god and to þ^e church of Seynte marie of Oseney and to þ^e chanons þere seruyng god, of our i-loued soones [folio 30b] in criste Raph Murdac… and Hugh of Bourton vppon the chapell of Bourton, and of Roger of Seynte John vppon the church of Barton. The which that hit may be had ferme and sure with this present writyng and with our seele we haue i-wylled to be i-strenghthid, et cetera.